Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves: Game 3 – MLB Post Game Analysis
Philadelphia Phillies outfoxed the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Wednesday, September 28, completing a three-game series sweep at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.
Braves became the first team in the history of Major League Baseball to crash out of the post-season after having led the Wild Card standings since mid-June. Seeking a second trip to the play-offs in as many seasons, the Braves went reeling out of contention
after having impressed throughout the year.
A string of injuries followed by a serious dip in form saw the Braves go down from a position where qualification for post-season was certain. Given the depth in Atlanta’s line-up, no one would have imagined St. Louis Cardinals eradicating an 8.5 game deficit
in September and thrashing the once-dominant Braves for a post-season spot.
Braves were not the only certain qualifier to crash out. Boston Red Sox lost their advantage in the American League to Tampa Bay Rays after the latter made a record comeback to defeat the New York Yankees and subsequently win a trip to the play-offs. This
was not enough to justify Atlanta’s lacklustre performance in the profundity of the season.
After having already lost the series, the Braves desperately needed a win in this game to keep their hopes high for a post-season stint. Tim Hudson started impressively for the home-team but Hunter Pence pulled an early run for the Phillies upfront to impose
pressure on a dejected Braves’ dugout.
Michael Bourn scored in the bottom half of the first inning to keep the game in balance, his run coming off Chipper Jones’ sacrifice fly. With scores level, Hudson pitched an immaculate stretch of five scoreless innings to give Atlanta an upper-hand in the
game.
Atlanta’s offence, led by Dan Uggla, gave the home-side a two-run lead over the National League East Champions in the third inning. After having impressed all through the season, Uggla smashed a two-run home-run towards left-field to stamp his authority
on the plate. Martin Prado scored on Uggla’s hit but had an ordinary game overall, going 1-for-6 to end his season at an average of .260.
Cole Hamels, in an unusual scenario, did not start the game for the Phillies. He took the reins in the third inning but failed to impress, managing only one strike-out and giving away four hits in his spell of three innings.
Phillies did not show nerves and stayed serene, putting pressure on the Braves instead. This became evident in the seventh inning when Atlanta’s short-stop, Jack Wilson committed an error to allow Raul Ibanez a run, reducing the team’s advantage to just
one-run. Jonny Venters instilled calm into the Braves’ dugout with a perfect eighth inning to hold his 35th game of the season.
Craig Kimbrel took his stance on the mound in the ninth inning to safely close things for the Braves. By far the best closer in business this season, Kimbrel seemed content to guide his team through to the play-offs with at least one-run to play with. However,
Chase Utley’s sacrifice fly allowed Pete Orr to score the tying run and push the game to extra innings.
Kris Medlen impressed after returning from injury, pitching 1.1 spotless innings to keep the Braves hopeful. In the 13th inning Scott Linebrink allowed Pence to drive in a single and as a consequence, lose the game and with it the chances for
the Braves to qualify.
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